Why I stayed with the Broncos: Gillett

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Matt Gillett will be a Bronco for life after re-signing with the club until the end of the 2020 season, and the 28-year-old says it was his family who inspired him to reject offers from rival clubs and commit to Brisbane.

Gillett initially joined the Broncos in 2008, playing several matches for the club's under-20s side as a 19-year-old.

In 2010 Gillett made his NRL debut against the North Queensland Cowboys, and he has since gone on to play for Queensland and Australia.

Fast forward to 2016 and football is now the third most important aspect of his life, with his wife Skye and daughter Harper coming before anything else.

Therefore it was the future and wellbeing of his family that ultimately persuaded Gillett to sign a four-year deal with the Broncos this week.

"It's good to have it out of the way. Obviously it took a bit of time to get everything into place but I'm happy it's done," Gillett said.

"I couldn't be any more excited for the future. That goes for myself and for my family. They were the main reason I stayed here.

"To have four years of security is very important. It took a while because I wanted to have the best possible scenario for my family.

"I have a lot of support up here so that was the main reason I wanted to stay. It was important for all my family to be comfortable while I'm playing football."

Gillett's future has been a huge talking point throughout the 2016 season, with speculation linking the star back-rower to a number of clubs.

But the man himself said although he did have a number of offers, he always wanted to stay at the club that gave him his first crack in the NRL.

"I suppose I had an option to leave, but at the end of the day I wanted to stay here," he said.

"The club has done the right thing by me so I'm very happy.

"It sets me up for the future. When the contract ends I'll be 32 and approaching the end of my career."

But four years is a long time in football and Gillett will need to repay the faith the Broncos have showed in him by continuing to play the type of football that saw the second-row forward recalled to the Australian side earlier this year.

It's a fact not lost on the Bribie Island junior who is determined to improve now that his future is sorted.

"Over these next four years I just want to keep doing what I've been doing," he said.

"It has been a great couple of years so hopefully I can keep playing the best footy I can for the club.

"The club comes first and if I play well for the Broncos then personal rewards will come.

"Being a Bronco gives me the best possible opportunity to achieve those things."

2016 Broncos - Gillett Matt

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